Sleeve for containers

ABSTRACT

A sleeve is disclosed that wraps around containers to retain the containers therein, while also being configured to stably rest on a pair of horizontally extending bars with constrained horizontal movement. The sleeve includes slots or grooves on a bottom portion thereof that are configured to receive the bars therethrough. The slots are sized so that lateral movement of the sleeve is restricted while positioned on the bars. The slots can further be sized to provide sufficient clearance above and/or below the sleeve for convenient storage, display, and removal thereof. Further, the sleeve can be incorporated into a display configuration having an array of vertically stacked rows of multiple sleeves arranged to maximize display space utilization.

FIELD

This description relates to a sleeve for containers, and in particular a sleeve for storing multiple containers and displaying the sleeve for sale.

BACKGROUND

In the field of food packaging, it is well known to provide cartons or packaging systems for carrying several smaller containers at once. The packaging system may be in the form of a sleeve containing multiple smaller containers. Often the smaller containers hold any of a variety of food or beverage items. One type of smaller container is a cup with a lid. An exemplary sleeve is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,147 (“the '147 patent) which illustrates a sleeve containing two stacked rows of three containers. The '147 patent describes, in part, the basic structure for such a sleeve. As shown in the '147 patent, the sleeve includes three openings on a bottom panel of the sleeve and the bottom row of containers projects partially through the openings with the lids of the containers inside the sleeve resting on the bottom panel. The upper row of containers is then stacked on top of the bottom row and the sleeve is closed over the top of the upper row to secure both rows of containers.

One conventional type of display system mounts a pair of spaced bars to a wall or display so that the bars extend generally horizontally away from the wall to provide a display support for hanging products, such as food products. Traditional sleeves can have two stacked rows of three containers, such as that discussed above with respect to the '147 patent, and can be displayed on such a support by placing the sleeve generally orthogonal to the pair of bars. With this positioning, the bottom row of containers laterally restricts movement of the sleeve because the center container can be positioned between the bars with the outer containers on either side thereof. Furthermore, when hung from the bars the sleeve and containers are supported near a vertical midpoint thereof, which contributes to stability. This arrangement provides the sleeve with secure lateral placement while still allowing a consumer to slide the sleeve forward to remove it from the display. Sleeves of different sizes, however, can encounter several problems with such a display system, including being unstable, unconstrained, or otherwise having unsuitable dimensions. This is particularly the case when a sleeve containing only a single row of containers is attempted to be configured to be hung or otherwise supported by spaced bars.

SUMMARY

In one form, a multi-panel sleeve is provided for storing and displaying a single row of containers. The sleeve includes a bottom panel, a top panel, and side panels extending therebetween. The sleeve further includes structure which effectively functions as a pair of grooves defined through a bottom portion thereof. The grooves are configured to receive a pair of support bars therethrough to support the sleeve in an upright configuration and restrict lateral movement of the sleeve when supported by the grooves. By one approach, the grooves are created by a pair of parallel, elongate openings or cut-outs. The elongate openings each include a middle portion that extends across the bottom panel generally transverse to longitudinal side edges thereof and side portions that extend only partially into the pair of side panels. So configured, after arrangement of the sleeve, such as by pivoting the side panels with respect to the bottom panel, the elongate openings define the grooves through the bottom portion of the sleeve. The grooves are spaced to receive parallel and similarly spaced bars typical with display systems at stores. When resting upon the grooves, the sleeve is restricted from lateral movement and has increased stability by moving the support location vertically inward from the bottom of the sleeve. The extent of the support location is not so great so as to hinder vertical lifting for removal from the bars, particularly when the bars are joined at the outward ends by a cross bar or other merchandising display component.

By one approach, the opening side portions extend from the longitudinal side edges of the bottom panel about 30 percent or less of a height of the side panels. By another approach, the opening side portions include a support edge configured to be engaged so that the sleeve is supported in an upright configuration. By yet another approach, the grooves have a depth such that a center of mass of the containers is positioned above the opening side portions.

In another form, a display system is provided to display one or more sleeves, such as sleeves configured as discussed above. The display system can include a plurality of supports in a stacked relation, each support including a pair of spaced apart bars. One or more sleeves can then be received on the plurality of supports. The supports can further include a cross bar connecting forward ends of the pair of bars.

By one approach, the one or more sleeves are configured such that the plurality of supports can be positioned vertically apart a distance between about 105 percent and about 135 percent of a height of the sleeve, which contributes to efficient vertical display space utilization by not requiring too large of a space for lifting the sleeve for removal. By another approach, the plurality of supports are vertically spaced apart a distance such that there is a headspace of about 30 percent of a height of one of the sleeves received on one of plurality of supports above the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sleeve having containers therein and slots across a bottom portions thereof;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 1 resting on a pair of display bars extending through the slots;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a blank for the sleeve of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a display system for a plurality of sleeves having containers therein; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the display system of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A sleeve is disclosed that wraps around containers to retain the containers therein, while also being configured to stably rest on a pair of horizontally extending bars with constrained horizontal movement. The sleeve includes effective slots or grooves on a bottom portion thereof that are configured to receive the bars therethrough. The slots are sized so that lateral movement of the sleeve is restricted while positioned on the bars. The slots can further be sized to provide sufficient clearance above and/or below the sleeve for convenient storage, display, and removal thereof. Further, the sleeve can be incorporated into a display configuration having an array of vertically stacked rows of multiple sleeves arranged to maximize display space utilization.

A sleeve, configured as described herein, encloses a row of containers such that the containers are bounded on top, bottom, front, and rear sides by the sleeve. The sleeve can be sized to receive an odd or even number of containers therein, such as two to five containers, in a side-by-side relation in one or more rows, and preferably in a single row. By one approach with an odd number of containers, a central container is provided, which can advantageously be utilized for storage purposes, while also minimizing the required amount of packaging material. The sleeve achieves this by having grooves or slots positioned adjacent to the sides of the central container. This allows the sleeve to be conveniently utilized in current displays utilizing horizontally projecting bars with a balanced and laterally constrained configuration.

Turning now to details of an exemplary sleeve as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. A sleeve 10 is configured to store one row of containers 12 in a side-by-side relation along a longitudinal axis L thereof. The sleeve 10 includes a bottom panel 14 and a top panel 16 with front and rear panels 18, 20 extending therebetween, such that the front panel 18 connects to the top panel 16 at a front upper edge 15 and the bottom panel 14 at a front lower edge 17 and the rear panel 20 connects to the top panel 16 at a rear upper edge 19 and the bottom panel 14 at a rear lower edge 21. The sleeve 10 further includes two grooves 22 extending through a bottom portion 24 of the sleeve 10. As shown, the grooves 22 extend generally orthogonal to the sleeve axis L. Each groove 22 is created by an elongate opening 26 that includes a front portion 28 defined in the front panel 18, a rear portion 30 defined in the rear panel 20, and a middle portion 32 extending therebetween entirely across the bottom panel 14. So configured, the openings 24 define the grooves 22 through the bottom portion 24 of the sleeve 10 upon pivoting or folding of the front and rear panels 18, 20 to a position above the bottom panel 14. Preferably, the grooves 22 are spaced from opposite ends 34 of the sleeve 10, respectively, substantially equal distances so that the sleeve 10 is balanced when supported along the grooves 22.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve 10 is sized to receive and hold containers 12 therein, such as cups or containers storing food products. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, each container 12 includes a base 36 and a sidewall 38 extending upwardly therefrom. The base 36 and sidewall 38 define a container body 40, which can take any suitable shape, such as generally box-shaped, cylindrical, tapering, frusto-conical, or the like. The sidewall 38 extends away from the base 36 and terminates at an outwardly extending flange 42. The flange 42 defines a mouth 44 that provides access to an interior 46 of the container 12. A cover 48 of any suitable material, including, for example, a film, web, foil, plastic, combination thereof, or the like, can then mounted, sealed, or otherwise secured to the flange 42 to cover the container mouth 44 and seal the interior 46, such as to store a food product or the like. The flange 42 can be utilized to hold the container 12 in the sleeve 10 by including slots 50 in the front and/or rear panels 18, 20 adjacent to the top panel 16. The flange 42 can then at least partially extend into or through the slot 50 so that the container 12 is held therein. The flange 42 may further include an outwardly projecting tab, which can then be utilized as a grip portion, can project through the slot 50, or can include a cover opening portion that is not secured to the flange 42.

An exemplary blank 54 for the sleeve 10 is illustrated in FIG. 3. By one approach, the top panel 16 is divided into overlapping front and rear top portions 56 and 58. By another approach, the front panel 18, the rear panel 20, or the bottom panel 14 could be similarly divided for manufacturing and assembly purposes. As shown, the front and rear top portions 56, 58 are positioned on opposite lateral ends of the blank 54. So configured and going from one side to the other, the front top portion 56 connects to the front panel 18 at the front upper edge 15, which connects to the bottom panel 14 at the front lower edge 17, which connects to the rear panel 20 at the rear lower edge 21, which connects to the rear top portion 58 at the rear upper edge 19.

Turning now to more details of the elongate openings 26 as shown in FIG. 3. The front and rear portions 28, 30 of the opening 26 are substantially mirror images of one another. In the illustrated form, the front and rear portions 28, 30 have a generally trapezoidal shape with inwardly tapering edges 60 extending from the sleeve rear lower edge 21 to a support edge 62. The opening middle portions 32 include side edges 64 that extend generally orthogonal to the sleeve axis L to connect the aligned inwardly tapering edges 60 of the opening front and rear portions 28, 30. So configured, after the front and rear panels 18, 20 are pivoted upwardly to a position above the bottom panel 14, the support edges 62 provide the highest point of the groove 22 and the edges 60 taper outwardly as they extend toward the bottom panel 14, which provides the groove 22 with a large lower opening to orient the sleeve 10 when positioning it for display.

In the blank form, the slots 50 include a generally U-shaped cut 66 that forms a tab 68. As shown in FIG. 1, after the front top portion 56 is pivoted relative to the front panel 18, the tab 68 pivots with the front top portion 56 and projects outwardly of the front panel 18 leaving the slot 50 as an opening in the front panel 18.

During assembly of the sleeve 10, the blank 54 is configured to bend or fold along the edges 15, 17, 19, 21 between the sleeve panels 14, 16, 18, 20. As such, the edges can be creased, scored, scribed, perforated, living hinges, or combinations thereof, whether formed by dies, rotary dies, lasers, or the like. In the illustrated form, the edges have a perforation pattern of about 0.5 inch (1.25 cm) cuts with about 0.125 inch (0.3 cm) spaces therebetween. This allows the panels to be pivoted more easily during assembly of the sleeve 10.

In the illustrated form, the front panel 18, the bottom panel 14, and the rear panel 20 are generally rectangular so that the edges 15, 17, 19, 21 thereof extend generally parallel to the sleeve axis L. Additionally, the front top portion 56 can be generally rectangular, while an outer lateral edge 70 of the rear top portion 58 has an arcuate pattern. Because the front and rear top portions 56, 58 are configured to overlap during formation of the sleeve 10, the portion positioned on top can have an aesthetically pleasing design, such as the arcuate design shown, as long as there is sufficient overlap to adhere or otherwise secure the top portions 56, 58 together.

By one approach, the blank 54 is cut prior to assembly of the sleeve 10. As such, longitudinal edges 72 can be cut to set a desired length for the sleeve 10, such as to set a depth and height for the sleeve 10 to receive the containers 12 therein. Additionally, top and bottom edges 74, 76 of the blank 54 can be cut or the blank 54 can have a pre-set width. As discussed above, the edges 15, 17, 19, 21 can also be cut to a desired structure along with the u-shaped cut 66.

After desired cuts or the like are made, the blank 54 can be stored, stacked, and shipped for future formation into the sleeve 10. When desired, the blank 54 can be manipulated as follows to assemble the sleeve 10. The containers 12 are positioned with their bases 36 deposited on the bottom panel 14 with the center container 12 generally centered on the bottom panel 14 between the elongate openings 26. In the illustrated form, the two outer containers 12 are then positioned outwardly of the elongate openings 36 on either side of the center container 12 and outwardly of the grooves 22. The front and rear panels 18, 20 can then be pivoted about the front and rear lower edges 17, 21, respectively, to a position adjacent to the sidewalls 38 of the containers 12 so that the container flanges 42 engage and at least partially project through the slots 50 on the front panel 18 and abut the rear panel 20. Preferably, the containers 12 are tightly held between the front and rear panels 18, 20 so that they are held within the sleeve 10. The front and rear top portions 56, 58 can be overlapped to hold the front and rear panels 18, 20 in the desired positioning against the containers 12, which also allows the top panel 16 to have a varying length depending on the size of the containers 12. A suitable adhesive or other securing mechanism can be applied between the top portions 56, 58 so that the sleeve 10 securely holds the containers 12 therein.

In one form, the opening front and rear portions 28, 30 are sized so that the grooves 22 have a depth less than about 30 percent of a height of the sleeve 10, and in another approach less than about 20 percent or about 10 percent of the height of the sleeve. In another form, the opening front and rear portions 28, 30 are sized so that when the sleeve 10 is resting on horizontal bars extending through the grooves 22, the center of mass of the containers 12 is positioned above the opening support edge 62. Such a configuration allows the sleeve to rest on the horizontal bars at least partially recessed within the sleeve and, in the exemplary embodiment, spaced on either side of a central container within the sleeve, rather than hang from the bars and provides for easier removal of the sleeve from the horizontal bars, such as when the bars connect at a forward end and the sleeve 10 must be lifted over the forward end to remove it.

One exemplary sleeve includes the following dimensions: the blank is about 11.5 inches (29 cm) long and about 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) wide. Within this, the length is broken up between the individual panels as follows: the rear top portion 58 is about 1.75 inches (4.5 cm); the front panel 18 is about 2.7 inches (7. cm); the bottom panel 14 is about 1.9 inches (4.8 cm); the rear panel 20 is about 2.7 (7 cm); and the maximum length of the rear top portion 58 is about 2.4 inches (6.2 cm) long. After formation, the top panel can be about 2.75 inches (7 cm) wide, but this dimension can vary depending on the size and structure of the containers to be held within the sleeve. The opening middle portions 32 are spaced from their adjacent blank longitudinal edges by about 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) and spaced from each other by about 2.2 inches (5.5 cm). The opening middle portions 32 have a width of about 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) and span the length of the bottom panel 14. The opening front and rear portions 28, 30 are generally trapezoidal and include a base adjoining the opening middle portion 32 of about 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) and the support edge 62 is about 0.4 inches (0.9 cm) spaced from the base by about 0.5 inches (1.25 cm). This gives the tapering sidewalls 60 a length of about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) extending between the base and the support edge 62. Additionally, the connection between the support edge 62 and the sidewalls 60 can be rounded having a radius of about 0.125 inches (0.3 cm). The U-shaped cuts 66 creating the slots 50 in the front panel 18 each have side edges 77 that extend on either side of the front upper edge 15, and specifically onto the front top portion 56 about 0.1 inches (0.25 cm) and onto the front panel 18 about 0.125 inches (0.3 cm). The base of the U-shaped cut 66 extends about 1.375 inches (3.5 cm) between the side edges 77 on the front panel 18. Corners 78 between the side edges 77 and the third side may be rounded having a radius of about 0.1 inches (0.25 cm). The two outer slots 50 are spaced from the blank top and bottom edges 74, 76 by about 0.8 inches (2 cm) and the center slot is spaced from the two outer slots 50 by about 1.375 inches (3.5 cm). Further, an exemplary container 12 is about 2.6 inches (6.6 cm) tall with a diameter of about 2.75 in (7 cm).

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the sleeve 10 can be utilized as a part of a display system 100. The display system 100 includes a plurality of supports or racks 102 extending outwardly from a wall or shelf 104. The supports 102 extend generally horizontally from a backing wall 106 and include two spaced bars 108 that join together at a forward end thereof by a cross bar 110 extending therebetween. Preferably, the bars 108 extend generally parallel with respect to one another. By one approach, the backing wall 106 is a c-channel bar or bracket that attaches to a hang member 112 configured to hang on a cross member 114 secured to the wall 104. In the illustrated form, the hang member 112 is also a C-channel bar or bracket with a downwardly facing opening. The display system 100 can further include a header 116 with a forwardly facing surface 118 that can be utilized to identify the products on display, as well as a trademark, logo, or other company indicia. In the illustrated form, the header 116 is positioned above the plurality of supports 102, but can be positioned on either side or below the supports 102 as desired or required by a particular application. The header 116 attaches to a cross bar 118 extending between a pair of bars 120 extending from the backing wall 106. As shown, the bars 120 extend vertically from within the c-channel backing wall 106 to a desired height above the supports 102 and then extend generally horizontally to the cross bar 118. Also, product information tags 122 can attach to the support cross bars 110 and can be utilized to provide product price information, a bar code, and/or the like. Advantageously, the header 116 and the product information tags 122 can be rotatably attached to the cross bars 110, 118, such as by having a snap-fit around the cross bars 110, 118 or the like, to maximize spacing within the display system 100 and allow sleeves 10 stored therein to be forwardly removed.

Turning now to more details of the sleeve interaction with the display system 100 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The supports 102 are configured to receive a plurality of the sleeves 10, which have been described above, thereon to support the sleeves 10 in an upright configuration. The grooves 22 of the sleeves 10 are configured receive the support bars 108 therethrough so that the sleeves 10 are supported on the support bars 108 recessed within the sleeve. The supports 102 are shown as supporting eight sleeves 10 thereon, but can be sized smaller or larger as desired or required by space, materials, etc. Once the sleeves 10 are deposited onto the supports 102, the support cross bar 110 restricts the sleeves 10 from falling off the support bars 108 forwardly and the sleeve grooves 22 restrict lateral movement of the sleeve 10, so the sleeves 10 are securely displayed within the display system 100. Then, when a consumer or other user desires to remove one or more of the sleeves 10 from the support 102, the consumer lifts the sleeve 10 vertically until the grooves 22 clear the support bars 108 and then the sleeve 10 can be pulled forwardly over the support cross bar 110.

By one approach, the supports 102 and header bars 118, 120 are constructed from 0.25 inch (0.6 cm) wire. Additionally, the backing wall 106 and the hanging member 112 can be constructed of 12 gauge steel.

Advantageously, the depth of the grooves 22 can be sized so that the sleeves 10 can settle a relatively small distance on the support bars 108 so that removal of the sleeve 10 is achieved more easily. To this end, headspace 124 is provided above the sleeves 10 when the sleeves 10 are positioned on the supports 102. By one approach, the headspace 124 is sized to be about 40 percent or less than a height of the sleeve 10, and more preferably about 30 percent, or percent or 10 percent less than the height of the sleeve 10. Preferably, the diameter of the bars is smaller than the depth of the grooves in the sidewalls. By the illustrated approach, the grooves 22 have a depth of about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) and a clearance of about 0.3 inches (0.8 cm) and the sleeve 10 has a height of about 2.7 inches (7 cm), so the headspace is about 30 percent of the height of the sleeve 10. Further, the sleeve 10 described herein advantageously maximizes vertical space such that the supports 102 can be spaced apart between about 105 percent and about 140 percent of the height of the sleeve 10, and more preferably between about 120 percent and about 135 percent of the height of the sleeve 10, and even more preferably about 130 percent of the height of the sleeve 10. In the illustrated example, the sleeve 10 has a height of about 2.7 inches (7 cm) and the headspace 125, as discuss above, is about 0.8 inches (2 cm). So configured, the supports 102 can be spaced apart about 3.5 inches, which is about 130 percent of the height of the sleeve 10.

The drawings and the foregoing descriptions are not intended to represent the only forms of the package in regards to the details of construction. Changes in form and in proportion of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalents, are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient. 

1. A multi-panel sleeve for storing and displaying a plurality of containers, the multi-panel sleeve comprising: a bottom panel, a pair of side panels connected to opposing longitudinal side edges of the bottom panel, and a top panel extending between the pair of side panels, the top panel having a width substantially the same as or greater than the width of the bottom panel; a pair of generally parallel elongate openings including a middle portion extending entirely across the width of the bottom panel generally transverse to the longitudinal side edges of the bottom panel and side portions extending partially into the pair of side panels about 30 percent or less of a height of the side panels, the pair of elongate openings defining grooves through a bottom portion of the sleeve configured to receive supports therethrough to support the sleeve in an upright configuration.
 2. The multi-panel sleeve of claim 1 wherein the opening side portions include sidewalls tapering inwardly away from the longitudinal side edge to a support edge.
 3. The multi-panel sleeve of claim 2 wherein the support edge extends generally parallel to the longitudinal side edge.
 4. The multi-panel sleeve of claim 1 wherein the grooves are configured to receive a pair of horizontal support bars therethrough so that the sleeve is supported in the upright configuration thereby.
 5. The multi-panel sleeve of claim 4 wherein the opening side portions include support edges extending generally parallel to the longitudinal side edge, the support edges configured to engage the pair of horizontal support bars to support the sleeve.
 6. The multi-panel sleeve of claim 4 wherein the grooves have a depth such that the sleeve is configured to be forwardly removed from the pair of horizontal support bars with a headspace of 30 percent of a height of the sleeve or less.
 7. The multi-panel sleeve of claim 4 wherein the grooves have a depth such that a center of mass of the containers is positioned above the opening side portions.
 8. The sleeve of claim 1 in combination with a plurality of food containers therein.
 9. The sleeve with a plurality of food containers therein of claim 8, in combination with a display system comprising a plurality of supports positioned in a stacked relation, the supports each including a pair of horizontally extending bars and one or more sleeves configured to be received on the plurality of supports.
 10. The sleeve with a plurality of food containers therein and display system of claim 9 wherein the pair of horizontally extending bars of the plurality of supports are connected at distal ends thereof by cross bars.
 11. The sleeve with a plurality of food containers therein and display system of claim 10 wherein the one or more sleeves are configured such that the plurality of supports can be vertically spaced apart a distance between 105 percent and 135 percent of a height of the sleeve to provide for removal of the one or more sleeves from the plurality of supports.
 12. The sleeve with a plurality of food containers therein and display system of claim 10 wherein the plurality of supports are vertically spaced apart a distance such that there is a headspace of about 30 percent of a height of one of the one or more sleeves received on one of the plurality of supports.
 13. The sleeve with a plurality of food containers therein and display system of claim 9 wherein grooves are created by a pair of generally parallel elongate openings defined in the sleeve, the openings including a middle portion extending across the bottom panel generally transverse to longitudinal side edges thereof and side portions extending partially onto the pair of side panels.
 14. The sleeve with a plurality of food containers therein and display system of claim 13 wherein the side portions of the openings include a support edge extending generally parallel to the longitudinal side edges, the support edge configured to engage the pair of horizontally extending bars of one of the plurality of supports.
 15. The sleeve with a plurality of food containers therein and display system of claim 9 further comprising a row of containers received within the one or more sleeves, one of the row of containers being centered between the pair of grooves.
 16. The sleeve with a plurality of food containers therein and display system of claim 15 wherein each of the pair of grooves has a depth such that a center of mass of the containers is positioned above the pair of horizontally extending bars with the one or more sleeves received thereon. 